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Ankiel Watch
Former pitcher Rick Ankiel, 25, is trying to make the Cardinals as an outfielder. How's he doing? SI's Ankielometer tells all.
MENDOZA ----------------------------- MANTLE
LAST WEEK ....................../\......... THIS WEEK
Ankiel will start the season in the Cardinals' farm system--assuming no one plucks him away. He must clear waivers before he can be sent down. (His agent, Scott Boras, tried to dissuade other teams, saying they should know Ankiel won't pitch again.) In his first minor league game Ankiel went 3 for 6 and the next day 2 for 6, with a homer that hit high up on a light pole and had the major league camp abuzz. "I don't care who's pitching; if you go 5 for 12 in your first two days, that tells me you have special talent," manager Tony La Russa said.
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GARY I. ROTHSTEIN/REUTERS (ANKIEL)
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THE TOPPS COMPANY INC. (MENDOZA)
B/W PHOTO
AP (MANTLE)
